Tony Scott's death saddens Hudson Valley celebs

Monday August 20, 2012 6:36 PM By Chris Serico

The apparent suicide of Tony Scott has saddened Hudson Valley celebrities who admired and collaborated with the film director.

Scott, who directed blockbuster movies ranging from "Top Gun" to "True Romance," leaped 185 feet from the Vincent Thomas Bridge into Los Angeles Harbor Sunday afternoon, according to police. Emergency workers recovered his body hours later. Scott was 68 years old, and reportedly had just been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

Fellow Hollywood director Ron Howard, an Armonk resident, took to Twitter shortly after midnight Monday morning to share his sadness: "No more Tony Scott movies," he tweeted. "Tragic day."

Also expressing grief via Twitter was Pound Ridge resident Susan Sarandon, who starred in "The Hunger," a 1983 horror film that Scott directed. "Saddened by the death of Tony Scott," the Academy Award-winning actress posted Monday morning. "A wonderful filmmaker and a funny, sweet guy. My condolences to his family."

In a statement issued to Deadline, Spring Valley native Julianna Margulies mourned the death of Scott, who produced "The Good Wife" with his brother and fellow filmmaker, Ridley. "I was so deeply saddened to hear the news today of Tony Scott’s death," reads the statement attributed to Margulies. "I have had the pleasure of working with him for the past four years on 'The Good Wife,' and I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful producer. His kindness, intelligence and talent inspired all of us. We will miss him every day. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Former Mount Vernon resident Denzel Washington, who frequently worked with Scott, issued a statement to Newsday Westchester through his publicist Monday night.

"Tony Scott was a great director, a genuine friend, and it is unfathomable to think that he is now gone," said Washington, a two-time Oscar winner. "He had a tremendous passion for life and for the art of filmmaking and was able to share this passion with all of us through his cinematic brilliance. My family sends their prayers and deepest condolences to the entire Scott family."

Washington and Scott teamed up for the 2009 remake of a movie that coincidentally shares the name of a Westchester County municipality — "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." The duo also collaborated on "Crimson Tide," "Man on Fire," "Deja Vu" and "Unstoppable."

Tags: Pound Ridge , Susan Sarandon , Armonk , Ron Howard , Spring Valley , Julianna Margulies , Mount Vernon , Denzel Washington , Westchester , Rockland , movies , TV